Spatial and Socio-economic Factors: Mutual Implications in informal Areas

Abstract

This thesis seeks to prove how socio-economic factors are very dependent on spatial variables. Cairo, a fragmented city where rich and poor people live side by side, is chosen as a case study to test out various interdisciplinary approaches and theories. Guided by literature on relationships of societal and spatial factors the research develops a ‘comprehensive approach’ derived from Space Syntax theory, to investigate the mutual relations of the spatial layout of built environment and socio-economic aspects at both a city and a settlement levels. Four methodological procedures (space syntax, observation, questionnaire, document analysis) are employed to fill in the items of the developed framework. After reviewing different insights on physical and social issues, a methodology chapter is introduced to elaborate the elected research methods. The empirical part of this thesis consists of three chapters, first of which investigates the implications of the spatial configuration of the street network on the socio-economic profile in various neighborhoods in Cairo metropolitan area. Second of which extends the findings of the previous chapter through investigating the correlation between spatial factors and the distribution of internal and edge commercial land use. Furthermore, the relationship between spatial parameters and pedestrian movement pattern is examined in this chapter. Third of which incorporates the results of the previous chapters in the interpretation phase, questionnaire. That is to understand issues related to demographic profile, belongingness, places of interaction and safety, as well as revealing the correspondence between physical and social segregation. The cases used here are three informal areas in Cairo: Ezbet Bekhit, Ezbet Al-Nasr and Abu Qatada. The first two areas are located on State owned desert land close to the city center, while the third area is located on private agricultural land illegally built on the fringe of the city.